Senate bill would create school program for computer science, engineering

Senate bill would create school program for computer science, engineering

(Shutterstock)


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Legislature is considering a bill that would create a grant program encouraging a focus on computer science, information technology and computer engineering in schools.

Sponsored by Sen. Ralph Okerlund, the bill (SB 190) would create the Computer Pathways Grant Program and encourage schools to work with the STEM Action Center and industry partners to introduce courses and content focusing on various facets of computer science.

“We had about 15 or 16 members of the business community saying, 'We really need this.' Industry is willing to get into the class and teach these computer skills,” Okerlund said.

The focus of SB 190 is on grades K-8, but the program is intended to support secondary and post-secondary education as well, particularly in smaller districts and rural areas.

"Based upon what we know, the majority of the gaps in resources are in K-8,” said Tami Goetz, Director of the Utah STEM Action Center.

Educators have also decided to focus on that age range to get kids curious and excited about computers early on.

“If you can create a curiosity and an interest early, you can build upon it in later grades,” said Brandon Jacobson, IT Education Specialist with the Utah State Board of Education.

Okerlund also hopes the bill will encourage those students already interested in computers to “take off.”

“We’re missing an opportunity to get them working hard before they get to high school,” he said.

According to the bill, the program would focus on three different computer pathways: web development, computer engineering and IT. The STEM Action Center, industry experts and the Board of Education would work with schools to provide, not only courses to teach computer skills, but work-based learning opportunities in the industry and in higher education.

There are about 8,000 Utah jobs available in technology that are not yet filled, according to Okerlund.

“The opportunities are tremendous out there — these jobs that are available are $78,000 a year,” he said.

Related Stories:

Goetz also hopes that SB 190 will not only address the shortage of computer science professionals in the industry, but the teacher shortage in Utah as well. Others aren't so sure, however.

"We think (the teacher shortage) is uncorrelated. Salaries are high in the tech industry compared to the teaching field these days,” Jacobson said.

According to Heidi Matthews, President of the Utah Education Association, the compensation teachers receive is 30 percent behind what someone with an equivalent degree makes and most likely contributes to the shortage of teachers trained to teach those types of skills.

“I would be cautious if what it was doing was focusing attention on something that might be really great, but our house is on fire and it’s not time to retile the bathroom,” Matthews said in response to the idea that the bill might aid the shortage.

Both Okerlund and Goetz said that the work to educate students in computer science and the industry shortage is a collective effort, however.

“We all need to work together to leverage what we have,” Goetz said.

SB 190 builds upon last session’s SB 93 which created a grant program to increase computer science education in schools and was heard on the Senate floor Friday.


Carrie Rogers-Whitehead

About the Author: Carrie Rogers-Whitehead

Carrie Rogers-Whitehead is the CEO and founder of Digital Respons-Ability. She is a TEDx speaker and instructor at Salt Lake Community College and regularly trains on subjects such as information science, STEM, communication and digital literacy. In addition, she is the co-creator of Wizarding Dayz coming up at the South Towne Expo Center Feb. 24-25, 2017.

Goetz also hopes that SB 190 will not only address the shortage of computer science professionals in the industry, but the teacher shortage in Utah as well. Others aren't so sure, however.

"We think (the teacher shortage) is uncorrelated. Salaries are high in the tech industry compared to the teaching field these days,” Jacobson said.

According to Heidi Matthews, President of the Utah Education Association, the compensation teachers receive is 30 percent behind what someone with an equivalent degree makes and most likely contributes to the shortage of teachers trained to teach those types of skills.

“I would be cautious if what it was doing was focusing attention on something that might be really great, but our house is on fire and it’s not time to retile the bathroom,” Matthews said in response to the idea that the bill might aid the shortage.

Both Okerlund and Goetz said that the work to educate students in computer science and the industry shortage is a collective effort, however.

“We all need to work together to leverage what we have,” Goetz said.

SB 190 builds upon last session’s SB 93 which created a grant program to increase computer science education in schools and was heard on the Senate floor Friday.


![Carrie Rogers-Whitehead](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2585/258536/25853698\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: Carrie Rogers-Whitehead -----------------------------------------

Carrie Rogers-Whitehead is the CEO and founder of Digital Respons-Ability. She is a TEDx speaker and instructor at Salt Lake Community College and regularly trains on subjects such as information science, STEM, communication and digital literacy. In addition, she is the co-creator of Wizarding Dayz coming up at the South Towne Expo Center Feb. 24-25, 2017.

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

KSL Weather Forecast